MyFishFinder Forum
MFF US Northeast => New York => Topic started by: thechief on Feb 25, 2009, 10:00 PM
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Does anyone know if the smelt dipping on the finger lakes still happens? I used to do this years ago, and would love to take my nephew if they still get them. I prefer Cayuga or Keuka, but would go where ever they still get them. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Gary
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canadice i know has good smelt in it but im not sure if you can dip ???
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i was thinking of doing this once spring comes. i know they used to do it at the south end of Owasco lake and at Cayuga where the gully runs into the lake near Union Springs.
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i was thinking of doing this once spring comes. i know they used to do it at the south end of Owasco lake and at Cayuga where the gully runs into the lake near Union Springs.
I grew up there but no longer live there, keep bumping this post forward later in march, I think their on the comeback in Salmon creek at meyers( cayuga lake trib.) Somebody will tell you something eventually! GOOD LUCK ,LOVE THOSE SMELT!
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I grew up there but no longer live there, keep bumping this post forward later in march, I think their on the comeback in Salmon creek at meyers( cayuga lake trib.) Somebody will tell you something eventually! GOOD LUCK ,LOVE THOSE SMELT!
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I grew up there but no longer live there, keep bumping this post forward later in march, I think their on the comeback in Salmon creek at meyers( cayuga lake trib.) Somebody will tell you something eventually! GOOD LUCK ,LOVE THOSE SMELT!
Thanks SNAGGER. I will do just that (keep posting until someone local replies). Good luck this summer and hope you catch a boat load.
Gary
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Talked to one of my fishing buddies down there today. He said taughannock creek has been better than salmon creek last few years, usually around mid april. Me and my late buddy Travis used to be die hard taughannock fisherman and they would still be in there in may, but this was in the 80's & 90's. hope this helps! SHANE
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Thanks Shane. I got your personal email and came back to this thread.
Gary
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I get them out of keuka, there are several small streams from branchport to hammondsport and along rt 54 from penn yan to bath. Usaully once we get a warm rain they will begin running. Usually from April 1st right up until middle of may. Actually the little stream north of the boat launch at Keuka State Park gets some suprisingly large runs when the conditions are right.
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I get them out of keuka, there are several small streams from branchport to hammondsport and along rt 54 from penn yan to bath. Usaully once we get a warm rain they will begin running. Usually from April 1st right up until middle of may. Actually the little stream north of the boat launch at Keuka State Park gets some suprisingly large runs when the conditions are right.
In those small streams do you guys still use those homemade speed nets, that's what we used to call them back in the 70's and 80's. the nets were like a small strainer and you would pick away at the smelt one at a time. I used to smelt a spot at the boy scout camps just north of taughannock(frontenac gulf creek) that way with my late buddy travis.
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I use a standard smelt net but towards the end of a run on a small stream I have been known to just start picking them up by hand :D
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I use a standard smelt net but towards the end of a run on a small stream I have been known to just start picking them up by hand :D
I can remember doing that when I was much younger and able to bend over......lol. Trout6578 I sent you a PM, hope you get it. THANKS for your posts and sharing of information.
Gary
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I can remember doing that too as a kid. we used to snag them with ultra lite tackle in the day time at fall creek by the high school.
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Does anyone know if the smelt dipping on the finger lakes still happens? I used to do this years ago, and would love to take my nephew if they still get them. I prefer Cayuga or Keuka, but would go where ever they still get them. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Gary
i heard the smelt are hitting i small jig tiped with a spike on hemlock at the north end after dark with lantern next to hole. i have not checked that out yet, but two yrs ago a friend and i hammered them at the south end after dark.
good luck. im goingto south end canandaigua lake tommorrow. spotty but not bad.
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Does anyone know if the smelt dipping on the finger lakes still happens? I used to do this years ago, and would love to take my nephew if they still get them. I prefer Cayuga or Keuka, but would go where ever they still get them. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Gary
Sounds like, hit the day after a rain over there on Keuka in early to mid april. Could have alot of fun on those smaller cricks. Probably less people than Cayuga lake. Got your work cut out though,looking at my Delorme map, alot of cricks on that lake. Wish I could be there to relive my youth again.
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Sounds like, hit the day after a rain over there on Keuka in early to mid april. Could have alot of fun on those smaller cricks. Probably less people than Cayuga lake. Got your work cut out though,looking at my Delorme map, alot of cricks on that lake. Wish I could be there to relive my youth again.
As the original poster to the thread, I think it would be great to all get together at a larger creek (Taughhanock for example) for a group effort at getting some smelt. We could meet early (daylight) and maybe cook some venison dogs and get to meet each other. I think this could be so much fun, and maybe get some of us oldtimers back into the sport of smelting. Like I have said before, on a larger flow of water, the more the merrier. Anyone else interested in something like this?
Gary
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Does anyone dip net for smelt in the stream by Dean's Cove on Cayuga Lake?
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thechief, that sounds like fun. I haven't been over to taughanock yet, I am usually getting skunked over at meyers since i am only about 10 min from there.
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Smelt on Canadice,
I wouldn't think there would be an issue with it. But I don't know, would love to try once the weather breaks for the better, if its allowed.. Anyone know anything about this lake and dip netting smelt? Can't wait to get out there with the aluminum
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Sounds like, hit the day after a rain over there on Keuka in early to mid april. Could have alot of fun on those smaller cricks. Probably less people than Cayuga lake. Got your work cut out though,looking at my Delorme map, alot of cricks on that lake. Wish I could be there to relive my youth again.
Road Trip!!!!
Didn't they used to get smelt in the harbor in Oswego as well, I seem to remember my grandfather going there.
cny
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Does anyone dip net for smelt in the stream by Dean's Cove on Cayuga Lake?
Doubt it. That stream and the next one south of it tend to be feast or famine when it comes to water flow.
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When does the run start in the Lower Niagara? Wanted to give it a try this year? I think they get them in April which would be good because when turkey season opens fishing goes on hold.
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When does the run start in the Lower Niagara? Wanted to give it a try this year? I think they get them in April which would be good because when turkey season opens fishing goes on hold.
i hear you should start checking for smelt soon. after ST Patty's day..
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I smelt alot at Taughannock. Last year wasnt too bad...They ran pretty early too if I remember...If anyone wants to meet up and go this year let me know...Ill be coming from Binghamton.
Gonephishin
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I smelt alot at Taughannock. Last year wasnt too bad...They ran pretty early too if I remember...If anyone wants to meet up and go this year let me know...Ill be coming from Binghamton.
Gonephishin
What do you consider to be early? I would love to get together to try and get some. First we need to find out when they start running.
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we havn't had a GOOD run of smelt in oswego in a long time i can usaully pick a dinner or two every spring
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What do you consider to be early? I would love to get together to try and get some. First we need to find out when they start running.
As early as late march if warm, but usually around 8th or 10th of april and there after!
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when the forsythias are blooming - that's the way the old timers know it's time to go dipping
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??? ??? ??? i am new to this idea. could somebody explain it a little? it sounds like dipping a net in the water to catch minnows ???
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??? ??? ??? i am new to this idea. could somebody explain it a little? it sounds like dipping a net in the water to catch minnows ???
Smelt run in the spring to spawn and they lay there eggs up at the end of flowing creeks and when they are running up the creeks you can dip net for them. I am not sure how much you can take but that is in the regs some where.
Hopes this helps
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Smelt run in the spring to spawn and they lay there eggs up at the end of flowing creeks and when they are running up the creeks you can dip net for them. I am not sure how much you can take but that is in the regs some where.
Hopes this helps
It used to be 8 quarts. However, since I have not been in years and years, hopefully someone with more recent information will post the current limit.
Gary
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Page 22 of the 08-09 regs say eight quarts per day for Cayuga and Owasco, taken between 7PM and 2AM. Season runs March 1 through May 21. For Cayuga, no dipping in Willow Creek. Nets have regs too - dip net not exceeding 14 inches in diameter or 13 x 13 inches if square,
** Seasons, times, nets, and limit vary by body of water - check the regs page! **
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Smelt run in the spring to spawn and they lay there eggs up at the end of flowing creeks and when they are running up the creeks you can dip net for them. I am not sure how much you can take but that is in the regs some where.
Hopes this helps
thanks
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Road Trip!!!!
Didn't they used to get smelt in the harbor in Oswego as well, I seem to remember my grandfather going there.
cny
Hey CNY I have never smelted lake Ontario! About that question about when smelt come in. I remember as a kid a monster snowstorm as big as the blizzard of "93" hit on march 29th in 1981 or 82. I remember that date because it was my cousin's birthday. Well any way the night before I was smashing the smelt in fall creek behind the high school(Cayuga trib.), there was so many people smelting that night you could read a news paper. Must have been 150 cars on the side of the road. Those were the days!
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I WAS TOLD THAT YOU CAN ONLY USE A COLLAPSABLE NET AS WELL... NOW I'VE GOT TWO USELESS NETS... BUTTERFLIES ANYONE?
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??? ??? ??? i am new to this idea. could somebody explain it a little? it sounds like dipping a net in the water to catch minnows ???
ESSENTIALLY, YES YOU ARE RIGHT ON. BUT I USUALLY GO AT NIGHT, WITH A SIX PACK AND A COUPLE OF BUDDIES. THAT MAKES IT FUN. BUT THESE FISH SWIM UPSTREAM IN LARGE SCHOOLS. ONCE A SCHOOL COMES THROUGH YOU DIP YOUR REAR OFF. IT IS FUN BECAUSE OF THE SHORT TIME THEY ARE THERE. MY FAMILY HAS DONE IT FOR GENERATIONS. AND THE LITTLE THINGS ARE DELICIOUS. I DIP THE LOWER NIAGARA RIVER SO THE RUSH /DANGER OF THE WATER ADDS TO THE THRILL... PM ME IF YA WANT TO TRY.
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I WAS TOLD THAT YOU CAN ONLY USE A COLLAPSABLE NET AS WELL... NOW I'VE GOT TWO USELESS NETS... BUTTERFLIES ANYONE?
Regs don't specify. On page 22 again -
Dip nets
Any person who has a fishing license or is entitled to fish without a license may operate one dip net as specified in the tables below; these are the only circumstances where dip-netting is permitted unless a commercial license has been obtained.
Note: smelt, suckers, alewives and blueback herring are the only fish that may be taken with a dip net.
Smelt may be taken in a dip net not exceeding 14 inches in diameter or 13 x 13 inches if square, as follows:
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Regs don't specify. On page 22 again -
Dip nets
Any person who has a fishing license or is entitled to fish without a license may operate one dip net as specified in the tables below; these are the only circumstances where dip-netting is permitted unless a commercial license has been obtained.
Note: smelt, suckers, alewives and blueback herring are the only fish that may be taken with a dip net.
Smelt may be taken in a dip net not exceeding 14 inches in diameter or 13 x 13 inches if square, as follows:
As follows? Where is the rest of the information?
Gary
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The "as follows" is the full listing of smelt regs for NY bodies of water.
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Today was 60 degrees, anyone know if this was enough to get them running in Seneca or Keuka?
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Anyone know where to buy a smelt net. Would like to get a good one and can't find anything on-line or Gander,Cabelas etc. I'm from No. Tonawanda so would like to stay in general area or order one. Thanx
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Sorry, found one at cabelas. Was not the metal mesh,but I'll give it a shot. :rotflol:
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Your close to Canada. There's a chain store up there called Canadian Tire. They have everything imaginable. Try them if your in the area. They don't deliver though >:(
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The two streams south of Well's Col. used to be easy pickings. The water has to be the right depth for it to work. I live in WNY now and don't get down there often. I'd like to try the lower niagara.
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I USUALLY SMELT THE WEST SHORE OF CAYUGA, SOUTH SHELDRAKE A FEW OTHERS AROUND THERE, THE PROBLEM ON THE STERAMS THE PAST FEW YEARS IS THE MOUTHS ARE NARROW AND OR CLOSED, SOMETIMES HIT LODI, OR VALOIS ON SENECA LAKE, BUT THEY HAVE RULES THAT DIFFER FROM MOST STREAMS.... BUT THE BEST IS TAUGHOUNTIC ( no one can spell it without looking it up )south end of cayuga west shore...... anyways my best moment and there are many is sending an ass of a in a deep hole without him aware it was there, watching the suckers swap feet from underneath our drunken selves, all the while holding the lantern above water ........ gotta love the wierd ciggaretts while your playing in the strams as well,,,, helps you focus and laugh when your buudy misses....
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I lived in Aurora on Cayuga as a kid. We used to ride our bikes down the lake path to the wells college dock at night to look for any lanterns in Little Paine's Creek. It used to be very productive with everyone doing well on a constant basis. I have definitely seen the runs drop considerably in the last few years. Hopefully this season will be productive!
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I USUALLY SMELT THE WEST SHORE OF CAYUGA, SOUTH SHELDRAKE A FEW OTHERS AROUND THERE, THE PROBLEM ON THE STERAMS THE PAST FEW YEARS IS THE MOUTHS ARE NARROW AND OR CLOSED, SOMETIMES HIT LODI, OR VALOIS ON SENECA LAKE, BUT THEY HAVE RULES THAT DIFFER FROM MOST STREAMS.... BUT THE BEST IS TAUGHOUNTIC ( no one can spell it without looking it up )south end of cayuga west shore...... anyways my best moment and there are many is sending an *** of a in a deep hole without him aware it was there, watching the suckers swap feet from underneath our drunken selves, all the while holding the lantern above water ........ gotta love the wierd ciggaretts while your playing in the strams as well,,,, helps you focus and laugh when your buudy misses....
Hey you got to sober up, when you make these posts though! just kidding!
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Just wondering what the latest info on the smelt run is. Thanks
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Just wondering what the latest info on the smelt run is. Thanks
ME TOO! These cold nights aren't helping anything!
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how big are the ones you guys dip net down there? we do it here in a couple spots but boy are they small..
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Anyone know where to buy a smelt net. Would like to get a good one and can't find anything on-line or Gander,Cabelas etc. I'm from No. Tonawanda so would like to stay in general area or order one. Thanx
I have seen them in Bass pro shops. They only had the short handled (48"). I got mine at Dicks many years ago but havent seen any lately. Its a seasonal item. Good luck.
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anyone know of reports of the smelt running in the finger lakes yet? hope we can all get together for dipping and maybe a few cold adult beverages......................
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The Owasco tribs have started. Probably have to make a drive and chance it however. There certaintly are not enough currently to make it dependable. Cayuga Lake has nothing besides the half dozen or so being taken at Taughannoc. Miliken station has not much action either,. If you can get into (have permission) Owasco that is where they are now. We ate some for lunch today after fishing for Rainbows in Ludlowville.
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any updates?
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Gary,
I know on Cayuga Lake a lot of guys will dip for smelt at Great Gully and Farley's point on the north end of the lake. Access can be tough and some of the owners around both spots can be a pain. If you have access via a boat that is your best bet. Owasco also used to have a lot of smelt but in recent years the runs have been small. If you are looking for a spot on Owasco I would recommend three places Dutch Hollow Brook, Long Point and Letchworth Point. Again if you go by boat it is easier to access but things aren't what they were 15 years ago when you could go to any of these spots and not be bothered.
Hope that helps.
TT
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any one now of any good smelt spots in chataqua county?
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Gary,
I know on Cayuga Lake a lot of guys will dip for smelt at Great Gully and Farley's point on the north end of the lake. Access can be tough and some of the owners around both spots can be a pain. If you have access via a boat that is your best bet. Owasco also used to have a lot of smelt but in recent years the runs have been small. If you are looking for a spot on Owasco I would recommend three places Dutch Hollow Brook, Long Point and Letchworth Point. Again if you go by boat it is easier to access but things aren't what they were 15 years ago when you could go to any of these spots and not be bothered.
Hope that helps.
TT
Great information, thanks for sharing.
Gary
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I made a cookie sheet lantern for smelting last summer. Will be trying it out this spring soon!
(https://www.myfishfinder.com/fishing_forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi244.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fgg22%2Fbart607%2FSmeltlantern004.jpg&hash=d528f3364635716d63e728219978ffae)
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ok, you got my curiosity up. what are you attaching it to? A pole? your chest? your back? your arm? ;D
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ok, you got my curiosity up. what are you attaching it to? A pole? your chest? your back? your arm? ;D
You wear it in the front, the leather strap around my neck and the rope around my waist. Several have similar setups, works very well.
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i made something similiar using thin plywood. It worked good but got hot. Also the fumes coming up to your face can be a bit much so watch out. Good job though, may have to make one like it. Wife won't miss one cookie sheet. :D
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I think I would stick to a head lamp :laugh:
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Anyone having any luck? Was going to try this weekend if the water clears up a bit.
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my luck is I would put that on my chest and have it catch fire or something like that ::) I will stick with my head light
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try propane that gas stuff is going to kill u ;D just my two sence
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try propane that gas stuff is going to kill u ;D just my two sence
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Propane fumes are extremely dangerous. Hope everyone is careful with this.
Gary
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Anyone getting smelt in the finger lake tribs?
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Went last night for about 3 hours and got 2 fish. Of the dozen or so people, the most I heard was one with 5 smelt. The water was clear and not to high but there were few fish to be found.
A few years ago they ran heavy during some early Easter rains but the streams were so high and fast that you couldn't get them. I hope the same didn't happen this year when we had the same high muddy waters last week! ???
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Any smelt coming in the lower Niagara?
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Not sure about the Niagara but I went back to Naples Creek last night and ended up with about 1/2 gallon between 10:30 and 2:00.
They were not stacked in like cord wood but they were consistent. If I netted everyone I saw I would have tripled my ca :'(tch.
What was really strange was that I was literally the only one there. There were a few people way upstream from me but I had the Parish Street crossing all to myself for as far as I wanted to walk. I had talked with a few people who were leaving as I got there and they said there was nothing running and that they were doing better upstream by the DEC parking area - that is where the others seemed to be. As soon as I hit the water I was scooping.
Happy netting! I won't get out any more this year but I would appreciate any reports from others.
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Oh - and the good news - every smelt except for one was a male. That means the best is yet to come.
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Not sure about the Niagara but I went back to Naples Creek last night and ended up with about 1/2 gallon between 10:30 and 2:00.
They were not stacked in like cord wood but they were consistent. If I netted everyone I saw I would have tripled my ca :'(tch.
What was really strange was that I was literally the only one there. There were a few people way upstream from me but I had the Parish Street crossing all to myself for as far as I wanted to walk. I had talked with a few people who were leaving as I got there and they said there was nothing running and that they were doing better upstream by the DEC parking area - that is where the others seemed to be. As soon as I hit the water I was scooping.
Happy netting! I won't get out any more this year but I would appreciate any reports from others.
Darn! Iwas upstream at DEC parking. 4 of us got 14 total from 10 till 1. Granted we missed alot also. All males.
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Not much luck in Cayuga Lake yet. Owasco has had a pretty good run so far. The size of the Owasco Smelt have been surprisingly large. Females too.
Owasco is usually earlier than Cayuga, however they usually are running pretty good at the S. end of Cayuga by now.
We will check both lakes tonight and tomorrow night.
Good luck.!!!
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water levels around wells college looked right. Couldn't stop, just passing through.
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hit naples from 9:30 to 10:30, got 13 had to leave after my father fell in over his boots. Probaly try again tonight without the old man!
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Anybody know if the smelt are running in the lower Niagara yet ??? I missed it last year due to illness and I don't want to miss this year. They sure are tasty :D :D
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Not much luck in Cayuga Lake yet. Owasco has had a pretty good run so far. The size of the Owasco Smelt have been surprisingly large. Females too.
Owasco is usually earlier than Cayuga, however they usually are running pretty good at the S. end of Cayuga by now.
We will check both lakes tonight and tomorrow night.
Good luck.!!!
Still trying.
Owasco is better than nothing.
Cayuga is nothing!
I'll keep trying.
Anybody else??
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Anybody know if the smelt are running in the lower Niagara yet ??? I missed it last year due to illness and I don't want to miss this year. They sure are tasty :D :D
WENT DOWN TUESDAY NIGHT. 9PM-12 NOTHING ANYWHERE 'TILL 11PM. THEN IT TURNED ON A BIT.
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Anybody been to Naples this week?
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went to salmon creek on cayuga last night. from 9-11 nothing. then they turned on a bit then. left short time later. still not the runs i hear about from the old timers but it is something.
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Hello everyone, im a new member to the site. Thanks to everyone for the helpful info. Snagger you might remember me from my brief visit to your lodge on April 1st with a friend of mine. Im from Ithaca and I went to the salmon river on Cayuga lake smelting last night, just like the guy who posted b4 me :). There were four of us with nets, We managed to get a total of 60 from 10pm-1pm. Was great fun, only my 3rd time going. Have fun!
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Are fish still in naples creek?